Systems and methods for providing public space advertising

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing illuminated signage in a public space. The system may have at least one window, each window having an exterior surface and an interior surface; at least one coat of a non-transparent coating in communication with the interior surface of the window; at least one projector which projects at least one reversed image on the inside surface of the window; and at least one host controller. The host controller may control the reversed images being protected onto the window. The image (in a non reversed manner) is then viewable on the exterior surface.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method ofadvertising using pre-existing or standard windows.

In a crowded or city environment, advertisers are always looking forways to advertise to large crowds of potential customers for theirproduct. In many cities, billboards, printed vinyl sheets and otheroutdoor signage are preferred methods of attracting customers to aproduct. However, in many cities (e.g. New York City) the use of suchtraditional methods of outdoor advertising has become so widespread thatadvertisers are eager to utilize new techniques to make theiradvertisements stand out from the crowd. As such, a new method ofadvertising that is widely available is presently needed in urbansettings.

Existing advertising methods include murals. A typical mural may usepaint and may be applied to the side of buildings. Such a method ofadvertising is costly, as it requires scaffolding and the dangerous taskof painting on the side of a building. This process must be repeatedoften, as the entire mural must be removed and reapplied to change theadvertisement. Another problem with murals is the static nature of theadvertisement. Because they lack the ability to incorporate full-motion,dynamic video and other modern advertising techniques, murals do littleto distinguish themselves in an ever-crowded outdoor advertisingmarketplace.

Another method of advertising that has gained recent attention is theuse of flat screen televisions. Such televisions have been installed instore windows, in store interiors, as well as in numerous other places.Such installations, however, are expensive, fragile and prone tobreakage.

In addition to flat screen televisions, advertisers seeking to target anurban audience have begun to use light emitting diode screens (“LEDScreens”). While capable of displaying full motion video, LED screensare typically erected on the exterior of a building and, as such,require substantial construction costs. LED screens have also beeninstalled outside of subway entrances in New York City. Due to the factthat they are placed outdoors, however, they must be manufactured so asto be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, thereby increasingthe costs associated with their usage.

The present invention provides an easy to change, easily adaptablesystem and method that may use the interior of existing windows toprovide full motion, dynamic, public space advertising viewable on theoutside of the window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to public space advertising and moreparticularly to systems and methods for converting existing windows intoadvertising space.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofconverting a window for use as an illuminated sign is disclosed, themethod comprising the steps of: applying at least one coat of anon-transparent coating to an inside surface of a window; and projectingat least one reversed image from at least one projector on the insidesurface of the window.

According to another embodiment, a method of converting two or morewindows for use as a networked illuminated signage platform isdisclosed. The method comprising the steps of: applying anon-transparent coating to the inside surface of the windows; projectingat least one reversed image from at least one projector on the insidesurface of the windows; establishing a control connection between eachof the projectors and a central host controller to provide anilluminated signage platform.

A system for providing illuminated signage, the system comprising: atleast one window, each window having an exterior surface and an interiorsurface; a coating in communication with the interior surface of thewindow; at least one projector, wherein the projector projects at leastone reversed image on the inside surface of the window; and at least onehost controller.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the exterior of a building;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts the exterior of a building according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 depicts a side view according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 depicts the exterior of a typical building as may be used toprovide an illuminated signage for advertisement. As shown, the building10 may have numerous windows (e.g. 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26).

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the window and the corresponding interioraccording to the present invention. As shown, the window may beconverted for use as an illuminated sign. The window may be a typicalwindow, as shown or a public space window. A public space window may be,for example, a window on the side of a store inside a mall. The termpublic space window may also include windows located in airports, trainstations, or any other public gathering place.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of convertinga window 12 for use as an illuminated sign is disclosed, the methodcomprising the steps of: applying at least one coat of a coating 15 toan inside surface 13 of a window 12, the coating may be non-transparent;and projecting at least one reversed image 17 from at least oneprojector 28 on the inside surface 13 of the window 12. The term insidesurface typically means the surface on the interior of a building.However, the present invention is also intended for public spaces, suchas malls and the like. In this instance, the inside surface refers tothe surface opposite of the surface that the image is viewed in anon-reversed image as both sides would be on the interior of thebuilding. The reversed image 17 may be a reversed video image, a digitalvideo image or any other image suitable for a large scale advertisement.The coating 15 may be an acrylic paint and have a viscosity poisebetween 200 and 675. The reversed image 17 may have a luminance of atleast 1000 nits. The step of projecting the reversed image may becontrolled by a host system 30. The host system may project a reversedimage by playing back unique sequences in a programmable order.

According to another embodiment, a method of converting two or morewindows for use as a networked illuminated signage platform is disclosedthe method comprising the steps of: applying a coating 15 to the insidesurface 13 of windows (e.g. 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25); projectingat least one reversed image 17 from at least one projector 28 on theinside surface of the windows; and establishing a control connectionbetween each of the projectors and a central host controller 80 toprovide an illuminated signage platform. As shown in FIG. 4, the centralhost control 80 is in communication with other host controllers (e.g. 30and 60). It should be understood, that a single computer may controleach projector or all the projectors, via a network (wireless, wired orother methods of networking may be used). A single integrated image maybe projected onto two or more adjacent windows using a central hostcontroller (e.g. 80). Also, an image may be projected simultaneouslyonto two or more windows located in separate buildings, adjacent orotherwise using the central host controller. By way of example, theadvertisement may be a video of a boy throwing a ball and the ball maybounce from building to building around a city. The images may bedigital video images and the host controller may play back uniquesequences in a programmable order. The image may have a luminance of atleast 1000 nits so as to be daylight visible. Typically, theadvertisement or platform is used to promote a product or service.

There are a number of different ways in which it is envisioned that thepresent invention may be utilized as claimed. The most simple, is theprojection of a single image onto a single window. This may involvemultiple projectors, but, in such case, the projectors will each beprojecting the same image, additional projectors being used solely toincrease the brightness of the image. Another scenario involves multipleprojectors projecting distinct images onto a single large window. Theseimages would be synchronized in order to give the appearance of oneintegrated image projected onto the window. In a third situation,separate projectors would project images onto separate, adjacentwindows. These adjacent windows would, again, be synchronized to form acoherent whole. Under yet another model, a network of projections(utilizing any of the previously mentioned methods) would be dispersedthroughout the city, projecting the same content on windows located indistinct buildings. Thus, an advertiser could launch an advertisingcampaign that could be broadcast across the city simultaneously.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferredembodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A method of converting a window for use as an illuminated sign, saidmethod comprising the steps of: applying at least one coat of a coatingto the inside surface of said window; and projecting at least onereversed image from at least one projector onto said inside surface ofsaid window.
 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said reversed image is areversed video image.
 3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said reversedvideo image is a digital video image.
 4. A method as in claim 1, whereinsaid step of projecting a reversed image is controlled by a host system.5. A method as in claim 4, wherein said step of projecting a reversedimage is further comprised of the step of: playing back unique sequencesin a programmable order.
 6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said windowis a public space window.
 7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said signis used to promote a product or service.
 8. A method as in claim 1,wherein said reversed image has a luminance of at least 1000 nits.
 9. Amethod as in claim 1, wherein said coating is a non-transparent coating.10. A method as in claim 9, wherein said non-transparent coating is anacrylic paint.
 11. A method as in claim 10, wherein said acrylic painthas a viscosity poise between 200 and
 675. 12. A method of convertingtwo or more windows for use as a networked illuminated signage platform,said method comprising the steps of: applying a coating to the insidesurface of said windows; projecting at least one reversed image from atleast one projector on said inside surface of said windows; establishinga control connection between each of said projectors and a central hostcontroller to provide an illuminated signage platform.
 13. A method asin claim 12, further comprising the step of: projecting onto two or moreadjacent windows at least a portion of two of said reversed images usingsaid central host controller to provide a single integrated image.
 14. Amethod as in claim 12, further comprising the steps of: simultaneouslyprojecting onto two or more windows located in separate buildings,adjacent or otherwise, at least one of said reversed images using saidcentral host controller
 15. A method as in claim 12, wherein saidreversed images are reversed video images.
 16. A method as in claim 12,wherein said reversed video images are digital video images.
 17. Amethod as in claim 12, wherein said central host controller plays backunique sequences in a programmable order.
 18. A method as in claim 12,wherein each of said windows is a public space window.
 19. A method asin claim 12, wherein said platform is used to promote a product orservice.
 20. A method as in claim 12, wherein said images have aluminance of at least 1000 nits.
 21. A method as in claim 12, whereinsaid coating is a non-transparent coating.
 22. A method as in claim 21,wherein said non-transparent coating is an acrylic paint.
 23. A methodas in claim 22, wherein said acrylic paint has a viscosity poise between200 and
 675. 24. A method as in claim 12, wherein said windows are notadjacent.
 25. A system for providing illuminated signage, said systemcomprising: At least one window, each said window having an exteriorsurface and an interior surface; a coating in communication with saidinterior surface of said window; at least one projector, wherein saidprojector projects at least one reversed image on said inside surface ofsaid window; and at least one host controller.
 26. A system as in claim25, further comprising: A control connection between each of saidprojectors and a central host controller to provide an illuminatedsignage platform.
 27. A system as in claim 25, wherein said at least onewindow is at least two windows located in separate buildings, adjacentor otherwise, and at least one of said reversed images is controlledusing said central host controller.
 28. A system as in claim 25, whereinsaid reversed images are reversed video images.
 29. A system as in claim25, wherein said reversed images are digital video images.
 30. A systemas in claim 25, wherein said central host controller plays back uniquesequences in a programmable order.
 31. A system as in claim 25, whereineach of said windows is a public space window.
 32. A system as in claim25, wherein said platform is used to promote a product or service.
 33. Asystem as in claim 25, wherein said reversed images have a luminance ofat least 1000 nits.
 34. A system as in claim 25, wherein said coating isa non-transparent coating.
 35. A system as in claim 34, wherein saidnon-transparent coating is an acrylic paint.
 36. A system as in claim35, wherein said acrylic paint has a viscosity poise between 200 and675.
 37. A system as in claim 35, wherein said windows are not adjacent.